Tee Time: Woodfin Ridge

By JOHN DOMANSKYTimes-News Correspondent

Published: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 10:12 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 10:12 p.m.

Living in the mountains of Western North Carolina, there are few choices in the area to play a “parkland-style” golf course. Woodfin Ridge Golf Club, conveniently located a little over 30 minutes away in Inman, S.C., is a fine choice for those seeking a challenging, yet playable, “parkland-style” course.

Designed in 2000 by golf architect Bill Bergin, players will find four sets of tee boxes that can stretch to 7,107 yards to challenge golfers of all skill levels.

“The course is fair for every player that plays the right set of tees,” said General Manager John C. Combs.

A nice variety awaits golfers on the closing three holes of the front side. Starting with the number one handicap seventh hole, this 416 yard, par-4, features water down the entire left side of the fairway.

Proper club selection (take one more than you think) on the 175 yard, par-4 eighth hole will result in a birdie opportunity and a green-side view of Lake Bowen.

Let the driver fly on the sweeping, dogleg right par-5 ninth hole. At 528 yards from the tips, favor the left side of the fairway to avoid the descending waterfall on the right.

A couple of extra bites of the hot dog at the turn are needed to help get ready for the opening hole on the back nine.

At 454 yards from the back tees, the number two handicap tenth hole will play like a short par-5 for the average weekend player. Take what the course gives and leave a manageable chip or pitch for a chance at a par four.

One of Mr. Bergin’s principal influences is the “aesthetics” of that land that a golf course is built on, “exposing and enhancing water features.”

The short twelfth hole is evidence of that natural blend, with an elevated tee box overlooking a pond and a well-protected landing area. A well-placed tee shot will leave a short iron and a birdie opportunity on this 360 yard, par-4 hole.

The first “real” par-5 on the back nine is the downhill, 541 yard fourteenth hole. Big hitters will need to avoid the bunker on the left side of the fairway to have a crack at getting home on two.

Downstream from the Lake Bowen dam is the pond-protected, all carry, 191 yard fifteenth hole. Choosing the right club off the tee box could yield a well-earned two on the scorecard.

Give the driver one last smack on the eighteenth tee box, with water down the left-side of the fairway and 522 yards from the tips, players will find one of “the most spectacular approaches on any course in the upstate.”

“With all of the rain that we have gotten this year, the golf course is in the best condition that I have seen it in my 11 years here,” said Combs.

With the Blue Ridge Mountains framing the course and Jacob’s Creek winding through the heart of the front nine, Woodfin Ridge Golf Club is full of beauty and challenge and definitely worth the short drive down I-26 into the Palmetto State.

Fairways and greens my friend.

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